Posted by Frank on 09/21/06 03:14

On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 21:09:31 +0100, in 'rec.video.production',
in article <Re: I need your opinions: Panasonic AG-DVX100B or Sony
HVR-A1E ??>,
Spex <No.spam@ta.com> wrote:

>Frank wrote:
>> On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 16:36:03 +0100, in 'rec.video.production',
>> in article <Re: I need your opinions: Panasonic AG-DVX100B or Sony
>> HVR-A1E ??>,
>> Spex <No.spam@ta.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Laurent wrote:
>>>> Hi!
>>>>
>>>> Here's the point: I have a project to shoot some documentary, it will
>>>> mostly be made of interviews (studio conditions, with good lightening).
>>>> But I hesitate when it comes to which camera I should take for that task.
>>>>
>>>> The documentary will later be released on DVD and, who knows, maybe
>>>> there could be some TV broadcasting.
>>>>
>>>> I hesitate between Panasonic AG-DVX100B and Sony HVR-A1E (I haven't
>>>> selected the HDR-FX1 because it lacks XLR mikes inputs, and the HVR Z1
>>>> is over my budget). Both have, to my point of view, pros and cons:
>>>>
>>>> Panasonic AG-DVX100B
>>>> pros: 3-CCD quality, possibility to then use the camera in 24p mode in
>>>> order to shoot some "cine-look" short movie, possibility to use a
>>>> FireStone FS-100 in DV+HD shooting
>>>> cons: We're in NTSC here in Taiwan, might make things difficult to deal
>>>> with NTSC --> PAL conversion if I need to release a PAL version for
>>>> foreign market.
>>>>
>>>> Sony HVR-A1E
>>>> pros: HD shooting that would make things easier for NTSC --> PAL
>>>> convertion (assuming that there would only be the need for standard
>>>> quality video)
>>>> cons: not compatible with FireStone FS100, not really suitable for later
>>>> "cine-look" shootings.
>>>>
>>>> So, to your opinion, which one should I take?? I'm really found of
>>>> Panasonic, but the NTSC --> PAL convertion makes me wonder if it's the
>>>> right choice.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for your advices
>>>> Laurent
>>> Ask yourself how much SD work you'll be doing with the camera in the future?
>>>
>>> If I were you and buying a camera now I wouldn't consider a SD at all.
>>> The future is native widescreen HD in whatever flavour you like. The
>>> A1E will end life as a B camera to your other HD projects of the future.
>>> A DVX will just end up in the bin...
>>>
>>> Also HDV down converted to DVD looks far superior to SD -> DVD.
>>
>>
>> Also, unless you're on a tight schedule and cannot wait until
>> December, you might want to review the features of the recently
>> announced Sony HVR-V1U (60 Hz) and HVR-V1E (50 Hz) DV/DVCAM/HDV
>> camcorders.
>>
>> Aside from the usual interlaced video, the 60 Hz model also does
>> 23.976p and the 50 Hz model also does 25p.
>>
>Good point!
>
>There are also 2 canon cameras coming out Oct/Nov that also have 24/25p
>capability. XH series are at a similar price point to the Sonys.

It's tough to compare the progressive modes of the Sony HVR-V1 to the
Canon models because the Sony uses either standard 2-3 pulldown
(HVR-V1U 23.976p) or PsF (HVR-V1E 25p and HVR-V1U 29.97p) while the
Canon models use Canon's unique "Frame" mode.

>Recording progressive frames in HDV is far more efficient for the
>encoder too.

What encoder? That silly lossy log-GOP MPEG-2 thingie? :)

Heck, connect the HD-SDI output of a Canon XL G1 to the HD-SDI input
of your favorite Blackmagic Design card, add lot's of fast hard disk
drive space, and you're in business! Great for in-studio work, but not
so useful if you're on the run in a war zone, unfortunately.

Or...

Connect the HDMI output of a Sony HVR-V1 to a Blackmagic Design
Intensity card, add lot's of fast hard disk drive space, and you're in
business! Again, great for studio work, but not so useful if you're on
the run in a war zone.

The reviews aren't in yet, obviously, but the HDMI output on these new
camcorders, including Sony's two new AVCHD models, _should_ provide a
level of visual quality that's on par with an HD-SDI link.

--
Frank, Independent Consultant, New York, NY
[Please remove 'nojunkmail.' from address to reply via e-mail.]
Read Frank's thoughts on HDV at http://www.humanvalues.net/hdv/

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